Former govts break promise with ex-communist rebels : PM
Many former communist insurgents granted amnesty in the 1980s have not yet received the assistance promised by previous governments, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Friday.
"When they surrendered under the 66/23 scheme in 1980, they were promised of assistance including farmlands. However they were told later that they would get cattle instead. However the then government promised them money instead," Surayud said.However until now, they did not get what was promised. Surayud was speaking before departing to northeastern provinces of Sakhon Nakhon and Buri Ram. Many former communist insurgents who were granted amnesty now lived in the provinces. Surayud said he had worked in the northeastern region before, so he was well aware of the problems. He said he would look into the matters during his visit to the provinces. It is widely believed that some former communist insurgents who were frustrated with the lack of assistance had involved in rallying people to join pro-Thaksin demonstrations in the past. Some members of Thai Rak Thai party were former communist insurgents. Surayud said there are some connections between the former communist insurgents and leaders of the pro-Thaksin demonstrations. Therefore, political observers believed that Surayud's visits to both provinces were mainly aimed at making understanding with those groups.
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